News From the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Reflection: St Peter and St Paul

“You’ve got a good man, there.” Walking into the theatre bar a few days after Pope Leo’s election in the local area, I was greeted with these words. “I’m not one of yours, but the new boss is exactly what we need in the world at the moment”.

We need a Peter, and specifically St Peter, as a bridge builder in a world that seems, at times, to be increasingly difficult to navigate. How can we find common ground? Where is consensus to be built up? Who can speak for humanity at large without political, social, or economic interest?

Back in the 1950s, the papacy moved from addressing encyclical letters to bishops and lay faithful to address them to all people of good will, and in our time people of good will are listening to what the Pope has to say, even if they do not share a Catholic Christian faith. We have seen this with his first encyclical, Magnificent Humanity, on the possibilities and challenges with AI.

Pope Leo has a powerful role on the global stage as bridge builder and yet his ministry involves all of us. We are also bridge builders in our own environment because for many of our friends and family we might be the only ‘religious’ person they know and when they want a prayer to be said or a candle to be lit, they will turn to us. We might be the only people ‘who pray’ that they know.

These are privileged moments where we see the magnificence of humanity played out; of a reaching out of ourselves towards the other and towards God. We can show how faith is possible and how faith is practical and in these small, but not insignificant, steps we contribute to the Pope’s bridge building.

Fr Ryan Service, St Francis & St Augustine, Kenilworth

image c. cbcew/mazur

This weekend: Brewood Open Gardens

The parishioners of St Mary's Catholic Church, Brewood, warmly invite you to visit the Presbytery Garden as part of Brewood Open Gardens 2026 on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June.

Alongside 19 other local gardens the Presbytery Garden will be open from 12noon until 4pm on both days.

A great opportunity to enjoy a beautiful garden and visit and learn more about the historic Catholic church next door, designed by AW Pugin.

This weekend: Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Rednal

You are warmly invited to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee (70 years) of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Rednal.

A Thanksgiving Mass will take place on Saturday 27 June at 4pm, with His Grace Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, as the main celebrant.

The celebration will give thanks for 70 years of faith, community life and shared memories, and all parishioners, along with past and present families and staff of St James and St Columba School communities, are very welcome to attend.

National Deacons Assembly

Booking now open

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales invite deacons to the National Deacons Assembly, taking place from Friday 4 - Sunday 6 September at Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa.

The theme of the assembly will be: Human Dignity Beyond All Circumstances. The presence and practice of deacons in supporting human dignity in all - and beyond all - circumstances.

This gathering will reflect on the ministry of deacons today in the light of the Church’s recent declaration Dignitas Infinita, exploring how deacons are called to witness to the infinite dignity of every human person, especially in situations of vulnerability, marginalisation and hardship.

Booking Open: Emmaus Men's Retreat

“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

Becoming a Man After God's Own Heart

Booking is open for the Emmaus Weekend Men's Retreat 2026, in November. To be led by David Wells, one of the Church's most respected Catholic speakers, authors, and retreat leaders.

Date: Fri 6 Nov - Sun 8 Nov

Location: The Hayes Conference Centre, Alfreton, DE55 1AU

Cost: £238

Accommodation & Meals: Individual ensuite room included, together with Friday evening dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and evening meal, and Sunday breakfast and lunch.

Next month: WeBelieve Festival

An unmissable opportunity to discover the traditions and charisms that flow through the Church, to grow in authentic community, and to encounter the transforming love of God.

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Join WeBelieve from Friday 24 - Monday 27 July at the historic and beautiful setting of St Mary’s College, Oscott for a feast of the True, the Good and the Beautiful.‍

Tickets are now on sale: There's a 33% discount on day tickets using the code 'BIRMINGHAM-DISCOUNT' at checkout.

The programme has been announced.

Volunteer your services to help at the Festival.

So, lots of ways to be a part of WeBelieve!

Diocesan Pilgrimage: Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Hednesford

Sunday 5 July, 1pm onwards

Join us at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Hednesford in Staffordshire.

All are invited to continue their recent Lourdes Pilgrimage experience, or for those who did not go to Lourdes, to enter into the experience of Lourdes here in the Archdiocese.

Fr Jeremy Howard, Director of the Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage, has shared a personal video message inviting all to Hednesford next month. It was filmed in the Underground Basilica in Lourdes, in front of artwork depicting the Apparitions where Mary appears to Bernadette.

The principal celebrant at Hednesford will be Bishop David Evans.

The grounds will be open from 1pm, with Rosary at 3pm and Mass, with Sacrament of the Sick, celebrated at 4pm.

Please bring your own chair!

A final fanfare

An invitation from St Mary's College, Oscott

The final recital of the Oscott Organ series is on Sunday 5 July at 3pm, less than 24 hours before much needed Conservation works begin.

The organist for this exciting moment is James Luxton. James is Assistant Director of Music at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and is no stranger to Oscott, having played many a Sunday service for the seminary during his time as Organ Scholar at St Chad’s Cathedral, and was the organist for the historic papal visit to the seminary of Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, where the Pope addressed the Catholic bishops of England and Wales.

We’d love to see you there and to fill the chapel one last time until we are able to welcome back the Organ and all of you in (we hope!) early in 2027.

July Tours: St Mary's Convent

St Mary’s Convent of Mercy in Handsworth is an 1841 gothic revival convent by the architect Augustus Welby Pugin, which still houses a small community of Sisters.

We offer regular guided tours of the convent where you can see some of the original features and hear how the Sisters have used the convent building over time.

You're welcome to join next month's tours, at 2pm, on Wednesday 8 and Tuesday 21 July.

Father Hudson's Caritas Open Day

Thursday 9 July, drop in between 1pm - 4pm, St George's House, Coleshill.

Father Hudson's Caritas (FHC) is holding its first Open Day. From their Coleshill site, they will be showcasing the many services that we deliver across the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

A great opportunity to meet the team, explore the services on offer at FHC and the impact the charity makes.

Plus tours, display stands, talks and information.

All welcome to visit the site in Coleshill, please RSVP.

The Church and Artificial Intelligence

Saturday 11 July 10.30 - 1.30pm, St Gregory’s Church, Stratford-upon-Avon

Pope Leo has issued his first encyclical - Magnifica Humanitas: On safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence.

You are invited to a meeting at St Gregory’s Church to discuss the implications of this document which has been enthusiastically welcomed by those concerned about the impact of technology on our world.

Speakers will include Dr Michael Wee, a Researcher in Bioethics at the University of Oxford's Ethox Centre who will speak on the Dignity of the Human Person, and Fr Oliver Holt who will give a presentation on the encyclical. There will also be a panel to answer questions.

No charge, but please RSVP.

Spirituality Summer School

An invitation from the Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality at the Carmelite Priory, Oxford.

Sunday 12 - Thursday 16 July, 7.30 pm, Oxford & online.

Taste and See: The Wisdom Sayings of Saint John of the Cross

A week of deep spiritual formation guided by Dr Susan Muto and the Carmelite friars of Oxford. Teaching, prayer, silence, and community life at one of Oxford's most peaceful settings.

Online £150 · In Person £389 · Residential £789

Sea Sunday

Sea Sunday falls on 12 July

On this day we pause to remember the seafarers who sustain global trade and often work far from home, and we support the pastoral and practical care offered to them around the world.

The disruption to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz resulted in an estimated 20,000 seafarers stranded on board ships, facing heightened risk and considerable mental strain. Sadly, several have also been killed. 

This Sea Sunday, we pray for all seafarers, fishers and those who work at sea. Lord, guide us to care for them with responsibility and respect. Stay with all who travel the seas, protect them, guide them, and bring them safely home. Amen.

St Birinus Festival 2026

Thursday 9 - Sunday 12 July, Dorchester Abbey, Dorchester-on-Thames

Celebrate sacred music and liturgy in the historic setting of Dorchester-on-Thames at this four-day festival inspired by St Birinus, Apostle to Wessex.

Highlights include Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, a Pontifical Mass for the feast of St Birinus, concerts, talks, and chant workshops, with performers including Ryan Wigglesworth and Sophie Bevan MBE.

Tickets from £0–£35.

Jobs and Volunteering

Opportunities with the Archdiocese and other organisations

Paid positions

Father Hudson's Caritas provides social care throughout the Archdiocese.

Roles currently available include:

Relief Support Worker. No closing date.

Foster Carers. No closing date.

St Joseph's Residential Care Home, Relief Care Assistants. No closing date.

Voluntary Positions

Lead Trustee for Safeguarding and Lead Trustee for Property

The Trustees are seeking to appoint skilled and committed Catholic volunteers with relevant professional experience.

Several other opportunities are also advertised on our website including:

Join KYT's Mission Team

An opportunity for 18 - 25 years olds at the Kenelm Youth Trust.

Become a Faith Rep with Mary's Meals.

Parish Appealers are needed by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

Volunteer at Tabor Living, Birmingham.

July Conference: "One Heart, One Voice"

Hosted by the National Network of Pastoral Musicians (NNPM), Friday 24 - Sunday 26 July

Biennial conference at Highgate House in Northamptonshire with the theme “One Heart, One Voice".

The NNPM is an ecumenical network made up of Catholics, Anglicans and anyone who is interested in liturgical music.

Residential places still available.

National Justice & Peace Conference 2026 – “Just Talk”

Friday 24 - Sunday 26 July, The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick

Join people from across England and Wales for the National Justice and Peace Network’s annual conference, a weekend exploring how we can foster meaningful dialogue in a divided world.

With talks, workshops, and discussion, the programme will address disinformation, communication, and engagement across differences, alongside opportunities to connect with others passionate about justice and peace.

Residential weekend from £300 (concessions available).

Pilgrimage for Life, Walsingham

Saturday 1 August, Catholic National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady

Invitation to join the pilgrimage for reparation and prayer for the sanctity of life.

Starts at 12noon with the Pilgrim Mass, celebrated by Bishop Peter Collins, Bishop of East Anglia.

Also includes Eucharistic Adoration, Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Litany of Life and Benediction.

CELEBRATE Festival 2026

CELEBRATE festival returns to Worth School, West Sussex, from 15 - 19 August, bringing together around 1,000 people for worship, teaching and community.

With the theme “Let There Be Light,” the event will feature keynote speakers, Masses with bishops, and programmes for all ages.

Run by the CELEBRATE Trust, tickets are now available with family, individual and camping options.

One Hope Project Academy 2026/27

Online Worship School: Sept 2026 – Mar 2027

A message from One Hope Project:

We’re excited to share that applications for the 2026/27 OHP Academy are OPEN NOW.

The OHP Academy is a six-month online worship school for aspiring worship leaders, musicians and songwriters who want to grow in faith and their practical gifts in order to serve in their context.

One Hope Project has over a decade’s experience in leading worship, writing songs, equipping others and following Jesus, and we want to invest in you!

Please follow us online

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